Judge Reveals Systematic Bribery in Ministry of Manpower K3 Certification Process Since 2019
The panel of judges has stated that the practice of collecting ‘non-technical’ funds from Occupational Health and Safety service companies (PJK3) within the Ministry of Manpower has been ongoing for an extended period. According to the court, this systematic collection of funds took place between 2019 and 2025.
“Considering that based on the legal facts revealed in court, the receipt of non-technical money from PJK3 has been carried out continuously from 2019 to 2025 in a systematic manner,” stated member judge Alfis Setyawan during the verdict reading for former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday.
The judge noted that the bribery was orchestrated by eight Ministry of Manpower employees who are also defendants in the case, including officials serving as directors, coordinators, and sub-coordinators within the K3 Directorate. These individuals held authority over the issuance of PJK3 operational permits and K3 expert licence certificates.
The court found that the amount of money collected depended on the type of certificate issued. The funds were collected through personal accounts and nominee accounts used as collection points, before being distributed among officials according to a pre-established pattern.
In the ruling, the former Deputy Minister, known as Noel, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of IDR 200 million, with a subsidiary of 90 days imprisonment, and to pay restitution of IDR 3.435 billion. The judge ruled that his assets could be seized and auctioned to cover the restitution, minus the IDR 3 billion he had already returned.
The court confirmed that Noel received IDR 3 billion and a navy blue Ducati Scrambler motorcycle from Irvian Bobby Mahendro, a figure referred to as the ‘Sultan’ of the Ministry of Manpower, as part of the illegal certification fees. Additionally, Noel was found guilty of receiving gratifications worth IDR 435 million from other private parties related to his position, which he failed to report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).